Columbus students earn $11 million in college scholarships

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) -

WTVM morning anchor Chuck Leonard spent Sunday afternoon at Columbus State University serving as the master of ceremonies for the third annual National Signing Day for Scholars. The event recognizes the numerous academic scholarships offered to students all over Muscogee County, in both private and public schools.

They are signing on the dotted line just like any other college signing day, but they aren't making big strides on the field, these students score big on paper.

President of Saint Anne Pacelli Catholic School Dani Harris said, "It seems like every year there are so many athletic signings, and to be able to have an event like this where the academic achievements of our students are recognized, that's a wonderful thing."

150 students, from both public and private schools in Muscogee County, brought in nearly $11 million in scholarship money this year alone.

"I think that we have a great education in the city of Columbus, There are so many opportunities in both private and public schools that $11 million in academic scholarships, that means a lot," said Harris.

For some students, like Northside High School senior Orin Lincoln, this scholarship money will decide where he spends the next four years. He told News Leader 9 he is torn between California Institute of Technology and Georgia Tech, "It definitely gives me the opportunity to decide where I think I could have the best academic opportunities for my education. It gives me the option of deciding where I want to go as opposed to my finances deciding."

The students being recognized were congratulated by school leaders and then conducted their very own signing day ritual.

Keith Seifert, the Chairperson for the National Signing Day Committee, added, "These are the students that are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. We certainly want to recognize their academic scholars and we want to recognize their achievements and we appreciate what they have done and how they represent the community."

While many of the 150 scholarship recipients know exactly which college they are going to, some have to make a final decision by the end of next week.

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